Aviator&#39;s suit



Aug. 23, 1927.

w. R. FURMAN AVIATOR S SUIT Filed March 6. 19 26 5 Sheets-Sheet l INNER3R WITNESS:

Aug. 3 I I I v w. FURMAN AVIATOR; 5 sun FiLed Ma,r'ch 6. 1926 3Sheets-Sheet 2 patented Aug. 23, 1927.

UNHTE, stares PATENT orries.

AVIATORS surr.

Application filed March 6, 1926. Serial No. 92,826.

" a suit comprising a number of air or gas cells connected. with eachother and adapted to be inflated'by means of a hose or tube previouslyconnected with the cells and extending to an air reservoir, or reservoircontaining helium gas or the like, so that the moment an extremelydangerous situation arises the aviator may open a valve and inflate thecells for the purpose of retarding his descent and making a safe landingpossible because of the cushioning efl'ect provided by all portions ofthe suit thus constructed. i A further object is to provide a specialcontainer which may constitute an inflated parachute, for use inconnection with the suit; With the foregoing and other objects in view,the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement ofelements'described, illustrated and claimed, it being understood thatmodifications may be made within the scope of the claim, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. a

In the drawings forming part of this application,

Figure 1 is an exterior view of the suit,

' showing in dotted lines the approximate arrangement ot-the individualtube or cells,

forming the principal elements of the garment.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section, showing how individual tubes orcells are of sufiicient size and length to permit of protecting theprincipal joints of the body, without seriously interfering withmovement of the arms or limbs.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section from another angle.

Figure 4 is a perspective view, showing the manner of using the suit inconnection with a parachute.

Figure 5 shows one of the air or gas containers, in vertical section andin elevation.

Figure 6 is a detail view in section and elevation, showing portions ofadjacent cells,- and the manner of connecting them, to permit ofinflation thru one inlet connection.

A coverall suit designated 10 includes a body portion, leg members, andsleeves, anda hood or the like designated 11, is provided for the-headof the wearer. The separate air cells are attached to the'suit byvulcanizing,-if the material emploved is suitable for that purpose, orareattached in any practicable manner. The cells 12 are of differentlengths, depending upon the part or parts of the body which they aredesigned to protect, and they are all connected and are incommunication, so that they may be inflated with compressed air or maybe inflated with helium. or other gas, at one time. For this purpose, afilling connection is shown at 13, in Figure 1, and connections betweenthe individual cells 12 are shown in the detail view of Figure 6, theseconnections being designated 14 and comprising flexible tubes vulcanizedto the neck portions 15 of the individual cells.

The several views illustrate, in dotted lines, or in full lines, as thecase may be, an

arrangement of cells which may be employed, it being understood that anyreasonable variation' may be made in the location, size, length, and inother details.

A number of individual cells extend in the direction shown, withreference to the head portion of the suit, which includes the hood 11.These particular cells are designated 12, and in protecting the feet,short transverse cells such as 12 may be employed, other flexible cellsbeing deflected around the toe and heel portions, in the mannerillustrated by way of example.

Kit is desired to afford further protection, and especially protectionfor the cells per se, an outer covering of canvas or other flexiblematerial 16v may be provided.

A special cell 18 which may be employed in the manner shown in'Figure 3,has a separate inlet tube connection 19, and a valve 20, and this cell,container, or bag 18, has connected therewith cords 20 which in turn areconnected with shoulder-straps 21. This arrangement permits the user toemploy cell 18 as a parachute, and to inflate it separately, by thecontrol of the valve specified, it being assumed that under normalconditions, all of the cells will be deflated, and

that when a dangerous situation arises, the

aviator may open a valve, (not shown), but intended to have connectionwith a flexible tube or hose which leads to a compressed air tank, orgas tank. The cells of the suit may be first inflated, and then at theproper time the user may openthe valve for inflating cell 18, the wallsthereof expanding under pressure and taking substantially the form ofFigure 4, if the cell is released. It is obvious that if it is desiredto retain the cell 18 in the position ofFigure 3, as an addit ll tionalprotection, a suitable retaining device may be provided for thatpurpose.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: 4

In a device of the class described, a garment, individual air-tightcontainers aflixed to said garment, and in communication with eachother, and a separate container connected to the shoulder portions ofthe gar- 10 ment, means for separately inflating the container lastnamed, to permit it to rise above the head of the wearer, said separatecontainer acting as a shoulder and back support when partly inflated forfloating in Water, and-being proportioned to serve as a parachute. whenreleased to assume a position above the head.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM RUssELL FURMAN.

